NIKON 85 F1.8 S and Eye AF Firmware

The Nikon 85 F1.8 S and that firmware update for eye Af is 


HERE

The lens is new, the eye AF FW update has been out for a while now. I'm actually surprised they went with an 85/1.8 before doing a 85/1.4 or 85/1.2.

E.J. Peiker wrote: I'm actually surprised they went with an 85/1.8 before doing a 85/1.4 or 85/1.2.

Interesting, Canon seems to be doing just the opposite.
They have their more exotic lenses for the EOS R system first eg RF 85mm F1.2 L USM, RF 50mm F1.2 L USM and RF 28-70mm F2 L USM etc.

E.J. Peiker wrote:The lens is new, the eye AF FW update has been out for a while now.  I'm actually surprised they went with an 85/1.8 before doing a 85/1.4 or 85/1.2.

That's because Nikon is smarter than Canon. 

More seriously, the new f1.8S lenses appear to be stellar performers for a very reasonable price, and would traditionally compete very well against an f1.4 counterpart. I think it's quite possible Nikon will be looking to go with f1.2 lenses for their "pro" S-line rather than f1.4. No doubt such a lens would be very big/heavy/expensive and will sell in very low volume, so the f1.8's make a lot more sense for the broader market, I think.

Gary Irwin wrote:

E.J. Peiker wrote:The lens is new, the eye AF FW update has been out for a while now.  I'm actually surprised they went with an 85/1.8 before doing a 85/1.4 or 85/1.2.

More seriously, the new f1.8S lenses appear to be stellar performers for a very reasonable price, and would traditionally compete very well against an f1.4 counterpart. I think it's quite possible Nikon will be looking to go with f1.2 lenses for their "pro" S-line rather than f1.4. No doubt such a lens would be very big/heavy/expensive and will sell in very low volume, so the f1.8's make a lot more sense for the broader market, I think.

Plus the new 1.8 S 85 has 2 ED elements and 9 aperture blades.  Looking like it's going to be a lot of glass for that price point.  

Get the feeling it makes more business sense to offer a lens range that has more appeal to a wider range and therefore tempt buyers in, rather than produce a "platinum" range of uber expensive lenses, but offer a mediocre body/sensor combo for them to go onto.  Pretty sure when there is a need or demand, after the Z range becomes more established, we will see a few odd 1.2's etc... Frankly, they are not needed right now, so see Gary's point as making sense.  .  (I suspect Nikon thinks that too as they are not in that much of a rush to drop that 58 F0.95 on us...

On another note, and no big thing, whilst being aware of the AF eye Firmware upgrade in May,  this version, 2.01 appears to have some amendments. 

While I generally agree with a market strategy that puts higher volume f/1.8 lenses into the ecosystem quickly, the 85mm prime is such a specialized portrait lens that I feel coming out with a 1.4 or 1.2 first makes more sense as the average photographer will never buy a 85 prime. I even understand why a manufacturer would release a 28/1.8, 35/1.8 and 50/1.8 before releasing 1.4 or 1.2 versions but I do not think it's the right call on the 85 prime due to it's specialized nature in portraiture. That said, a 105/1.8 would make more sense than an 85/1.8 IMHO...

E.J. Peiker wrote:While I generally agree with a market strategy that puts higher volume f/1.8 lenses into the ecosystem quickly, the 85mm prime is such a specialized portrait lens that I feel coming out with a 1.4 or 1.2 first makes more sense as the average photographer will never buy a 85 prime.  I even understand why a manufacturer would release a 28/1.8, 35/1.8 and 50/1.8 before releasing 1.4 or 1.2 versions but I do not think it's the right call on the 85 prime due to it's specialized nature in portraiture.  That said, a 105/1.8 would make more sense than an 85/1.8 IMHO...

I guess I can see that logic given the 85mm focal length. Still, there seems to be a lot of interest in this lens on the forums (along with some criticism of it not being f1.4). But I do think that if this lens really performs well with low CA, no focus breathing and really great bokeh (for an f1.8 ), that will satisfy the large majority of 85mm prime users even at list price. I wouldn't be surprised if this new 85 f1.8S lens will be the best performing lens in its class. Also, I don't think there are many pros using the Z cameras...mainly enthusiasts, so until Nikon releases a Z body for the pros (dual card slots/grip capable/state of the art AF etc.), perhaps there's no rush for faster f1.2/f1.4 versions.

I just got an email from Ace Photo - pre-order this lens for 796.99. Their ad says this lens can cover everything from portraits  to weddings, to street photography, etc.